Tuesday Newsletter
July 3, 2007
Tuesday Newsletter July 3, 2007
Volume 27: Issue 27
 |
This issue of Tuesday is sponsored by VisitBritain. For everything you need to know about developing tours to Britain, and to find out about all the British partners who will be joining us at the NTA Convention this year, go to www.visitbritain.com/operators. See you there!. |
| Interested in becoming a Tuesday sponsor? E-mail Karla DiNardo at karla.dinardo@NTA.travel. | |
INDUSTRY NEWS
VisitBritain Encourages Travelers to Carry on as Planned
Lake Tahoe Fully Functioning Again After Fire
Passport Card to be Tested as Possible WHTI Document
National Park Service Sites Updates
NTA EVENTS
Last Chance to Register at the Early-Bird Rate
Get Your Message Out Through the Convention Daily Newsletter
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Senate Committee Passes Discover America Legislation
MEMBER BENEFITS
Membership Recruitment a Win-Win for You and NTA
DMO Director Encourages Support for Tourism Cares
Want to Host a Product Development Trip in 2008?
ASSOCIATION NEWS
NTA Headquarters Closed July 4
NTA Job Center
INDUSTRY NEWS
VisitBritain Encourages Travelers to Carry on as Planned
NTA contacted its VisitBritain member office in New York to offer assistance following this past weekend’s incidents when three alleged terrorist attacks were thwarted. VisitBritain is encouraging travelers to Britain to carry on with their trips as planned, saying it is business as usual with theaters, attractions and museums open like normal and public transport operating on regular schedules.
Tour operators with questions may reach VisitBritain’s contact center in New York by calling 800.462.2748 or via e-mail at travelinfo@visitbritain.org.
According to a statement released by VisitBritain, residents and tourists are going about their business and enjoying the British summer. Events such as London’s Gay Pride and the Diana tribute concert took place as planned over the weekend, the annual Wimbledon tennis tournament is underway, while HM The Queen opened the Scottish Parliament on Saturday.
There is a higher police presence at British airports and stations for the moment, which should be reassuring. For travelers returning home from Britain, VisitBritain suggests allowing extra time for the journey and strongly recommends the use of public transport to get to airports. Check with the airline or on airport Web site for the latest information about flights.
In the United States, security at airports and other transit points will be elevated this week because of the July 4th holiday. However, there was no specific threat associated with the plot in Britain, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said, adding that more U.S. air marshals would be added on flights to Britain.
Lake Tahoe Fully Functioning Again After Fire
Things are getting back to normal after last week’s devastating fires in the Lake Tahoe area, according to Sue Barton, director of visitor information services for NTA member Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. She said plans for the upcoming July 4th celebration haven’t changed and that the community’s traditional "Lights on the Lake" fireworks extravaganza is being dedicated to the firefighters and emergency personnel who recently extinguished the Angora Fire.
Late last week fire officials declared that conditions are safe throughout the area. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger paid a visit and said since the fire threat had been alleviated that the area will be completely open for the July 4th holiday.
Vail Resorts said it will advance a minimum of $75,000 to relief efforts for those impacted by the Angora Fire near South Lake Tahoe, where it operates Heavenly Mountain Resort. Five dollars from every Heavenly season pass purchased between the day the fire began (June 24) and December 2007 will go to residents affected by the fire.
Any company or individual wishing to make a donation should send it to – Angora Fire Fund; U.S. Bank; P.O. Box 17640; South Lake Tahoe, CA 96151; Attn: Jenny Domingo; or call 530.542.1801.
For information about South Shore Lake Tahoe, call the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, 800.288.2463 or go to http://www.bluelaketahoe.com/.
Passport Card to be Tested as Possible WHTI Document
The Bush administration said that tests will be conducted regarding the proposed "Passport Card" this summer. The PASS Card could be used as identification for U.S. citizens leaving and entering the country at land or sea borders.
Currently, when the land and sea requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative are implemented, travelers will need a passport or "other accepted documents determined to sufficiently denote identity and citizenship." It is anticipated that the PASS Card would meet the latter requirement and provide a cheaper alternative to citizens than a passport.
The PASS Card would closely resemble a driver’s license and have a radio frequency idenfication chip that, when scanned at entry points, contains a numeric code that would be matched to a reference number in a secure database to authenticate the cardholder’s identity. The card would be produced by the U.S. State Department, which is in keeping with a recommendation made by Congress that the State Department needs to make sure a low-cost alternative is available to travelers before the final passport requirements take effect.
Under current law, the administration has until June 2009 to fully implement the passport rule for land borders and sea ports, although Bush officials have said they want it to take effect in January 2008.
National Park Service Sites Updates
The National Park Service has provided the following three updates regarding three of its sites:
- As part of a large-scale project on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the National Park Service will close Henry Bacon Drive near the Lincoln Memorial, July 9-10. The paving associated with this will take place between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. only, and all tour bus pick-up and drop-off for the Lincoln, Vietnam and Korean War Veterans memorials will be from Daniel French Drive and on designated portions of eastbound Constitution Avenue in this vicinity.
- Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site in Washington, D.C., has temporarily reopened and it is anticipated the site will be open through the summer. To monitor this situation, go to www.nps.gov/foth.
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has reopened areas that had been temporarily shut down for nearly two weeks after hundreds of minor earthquakes raised fears of a major eruption on the Big Island. Areas that have been reopened are Chain of Craters Road, Hilina Pali Road and Kulanaokuaiki Campground, although the Puu Oo crater and trails leading to it are still closed. The main part of the park, which includes the Visitors Center, the Jaggar Museum and the Volcano House Hotel, were unaffected by the closures. To stay current, go to www.nps.gov/havo.
NTA EVENTS
Last Chance to Register at the Early-Bird Rate
Have you registered to attend the 2007 NTA Annual Convention? This week is your last chance to sign up to meet the July 6 early-bird deadline, which allows tour operators to save US$110. Also, operators must register by that date and update their company profiles to remain eligible for the Convention Rebate of US$650.
For more information on the 2007 Convention, which takes place Nov. 2-6 in Kansas City, Missouri, contact your Member Services team at 800.682.8886 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4444.
Get Your Message Out Through the Convention Daily Newsletter
Although NTA’s Annual Convention is still a few months away, don’t wait to secure your exposure and presence at this key industry event by advertising in Convention Daily. Your message will wind up in the hands of thousands of Convention delegates, as this four-color newsletter is given to every attendee as they hit the Convention Mall floor each morning.
Three- or five-day packages for advertising allow you to display up to five different messages throughout the Convention. Use this valuable space to promote something special, like a giveaway, or to draw attention to your booth.
To reach your account executive call 800.682.8886, ext. 4232, or 859.226.4232 or e-mail advertising@NTA.travel for more information.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Senate Committee Passes Discover America Legislation
On June 27, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation passed S. 1661, the "Travel Promotion Act of 2007." The legislation, spearheaded by the Travel Industry Association and the Discover America coalition, would create the first significant pool of international marketing funds in more than a decade.
An independent, nonprofit corporation called the Corporation for Travel Promotion would be created. It would be governed by a board of directors to be selected by the Secretary of Commerce. "NTA commends TIA for this audacious bi-partisan legislative step in the right direction to enhance and expand international travel to the USA," said Jim Santini, NTA’s legislative counsel.
One other notable provision in the legislation would be the creation of an Undersecretary of Travel Promotion in the Department of Commerce to promote international inbound travel. "NTA strongly supports a greater federal presence in tourism promotion and development, with the long-range goal of creating a Department of Tourism within the federal government," said NTA Chairman and CEO Randy Julian.
The legislation now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
MEMBER BENEFITS
Membership Recruitment a Win-Win for You and NTA
Want to receive $100 off your next Annual Convention registration or receive a $25 Starbucks gift card? Through NTA’s Recruitment Rewards Program you can do just that by referring a company that becomes an NTA member. In addition to this tangible benefit, it also helps grow and build the association and provide new partners for members.
When you recruit a tour operator, you become a member of the Recruitment Rewards Club and receive $100 toward future Convention registration. There is no limit to the number of tour operators you can recruit or the amount of Convention credit you earn. When you recruit a new tour supplier or DMO member, you will receive a $25 Starbucks gift card.
Members can participate by doing one of the following:
- Share a membership application with an industry colleague; be sure to print your name in the reference section of the application
- E-mail questions@NTA.travel or call NTA’s Member Services team at 800.682.8886 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4444 to request a Recruitment Kit along with a list of prospective tour operator members in your area
- Send NTA the names of your industry colleagues who should join. We will check to see who is not a member and send them membership information, mentioning your name as the person who recommended them.
To help grow your association and be rewarded for your efforts at the same time through the Recruitment Rewards Program, contact Lori Rempe at 800.682.8886, ext. 3579, (U.S. and Canada) or 859.219.3579.
DMO Director Encourages Support for Tourism Cares
(NOTE: The following letter is from NTA’s DMO Director Joan Niemeier of Tourism Kelowna)
As an NTA member, I would like to encourage you, my fellow NTA members to support the efforts of Tourism Cares and its various philanthropic activities – tourism industry scholarships, the auction at our Annual Convention and restoration projects in North America.
How you choose to do it is up to you but what’s important is that you get involved. My personal favorite is their silent and live auctions! It combines fun, allows me to give back and purchase a coveted item or enjoy a holiday package. What will it be for you? For those of you who may not be familiar with the possible ways you can support Tourism Cares’ philanthropic activities, they include:
- Become a corporate partner, which includes becoming a Leadership Circle member
- Sponsor a Tourism Cares event, or donate auction items (live or silent) for events
- Attend a Tourism Cares event
- Volunteer your time and work at a Tourism Cares Restoration program
- Fund a scholarship
- Make an unspecified donation to Tourism Cares
- Take ownership, be a leader today and tomorrow by giving back through Tourism Cares
For more information on any of these programs, contact Tourism Cares Program Director Carolyn Viles at 781.821.5990, ext. 208.
Want to Host a Product Development Trip in 2008?
The NTA Product Development Trips continue to gain momentum and popularity among NTA tour operators as a way to get new destination and product ideas. In 2007, NTA members hosted or will host trips to Poland, Alaska and Peru, with a total to date of more than 40 tour operators taking advantage of these packaging and networking options.
If you would you like to host a Product Development Trip for 2008, now is the time to pass along that information. NTA is taking bids for next year’s trips until Sept. 14. Information about hosting a Product Development Trip is available at http://www.ntaonline.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=16&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=2707&change_well_id=2. If you wish to submit a bid or if you have questions, contact NTA Vice President of Marketing Lisa Thompson.
The list of Product Development Trips for 2008 will be announced at the Annual Convention in Kansas City, Missouri, this November.
ASSOCIATION NEWS
NTA Headquarters Closed July 4
In honor of the July 4th holiday in the United States, the NTA offices will be closed. They will reopen Thursday, July 5.
Position Available – Tour Director
Reiman Media Group, World Wide Country Tours
We are looking for a top-notch Tour Director who wants to take their proven track record and put it to work for the exclusive tour operator for Reiman Media Group, World Wide Country Tours.
As the on-tour representative/brand ambassador of World Wide Country Tours, the Tour Director will lead and coordinate all details of the daily operations and the needs of the travelers of tours throughout the United States and Canada. On international trips, the Tour Director will work as the on-tour liaison with the local tour director to support the Tour Director’s job duties, and to handle certain customer service issues. The Tour Director will work under the direction of the applicable Tour Coordinator for assigned tours.
Interested candidates need to have five years minimum travel and tourism/tour director experience. An associate degree in travel and tourism is preferred.
Apply via e-mail to hr@reimanpub.com or by fax at 414.423.3830 or by mail to Reiman Publications, HR Department; 5400 S. 60 Street; Greendale, WI 53129
If you have a listing to post in the NTA Job Center section of Tuesday, e-mail NTA Communications Specialist Pat Henderson. The cost is $250 and your ad will run in two consecutive issues.